161936 Interpersonal relations and weight status among 3rd & 4th grade students in Texas

Monday, November 5, 2007

Julie C. Garza, DrPH , Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX
Nancy G. Murray, DrPH , Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX
Pamela M. Diamond, PhD , Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX
Deanna Hoelscher, PhD RD LD CNS , Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, TX
Belinda M. Reininger, PhD , Division of Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Brownsville, TX
Steve Kelder, PhD , Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, TX
Jerri Ward, MA, RD, LD , Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX
Overweight children often experience discrimination and stigmatization as a result of their physical appearance. This study examined the association between weight status and interpersonal relations with parents and peers among a sample of 990 3rd and 4th graders (mean age = 9.28 years; 67% Hispanic, 5% black, 28% white/other). Students were classified as normal weight (51.3%) if they had a BMI < 85th percentile based on CDC growth charts. Students with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile (48.7%) were categorized as at-risk of overweight or overweight. Interpersonal relations with parents and peers were examined with the Behavioral Assessment System for Children second edition (BASC-2) survey. The interpersonal relations with parents scale included nine items and measured "the individual's perception of being important in the family, the status of the parent-child relationship, and the child's perception of the degree of parental trust and concern." The interpersonal relations with peers scale included six items and measured "the individual's reports of success in relating to others and the degree of enjoyment derived from this interaction." Interpersonal relations scores were categorized as acceptable, at-risk, or clinically significant. Students who scored in the clinically significant category of interpersonal relations with peers were 1.7 times (CI:1.07-2.77) more likely to be in the at-risk of overweight or overweight category than those who scored in the acceptable category of interpersonal relations with peers. Weight status was not significantly related to interpersonal relations with parents. Interventions should address these poor relationships between overweight children and their peers.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the weight status of 3rd and 4th graders in Texas Recognize the relationship between weight status and interpersonal relations with parents and peers

Keywords: Children, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.